Newb looking for guidance

[Jaire]

CAD Lights 22 gallon with refugium and T5.

This is actually the one I looked at yesterday - What else would I need to buy (equipment wise) to go with? A skimmer?

[cbianco]

So, I like the look of these - with the black trim and all...lid optional. Any pros/cons to these?

In a previous reefing life, I had a 24 gallon JBJ NC. Heat was always an issue. I was not happy with the PCL; Can't keep many desired colored corals under PCL.

JMO.

CAD Lights 22 gallon with refugium and T5.

This is actually the one I looked at yesterday - What else would I need to buy (equipment wise) to go with? A skimmer?

Skimmer most definitely. Some run their tank on regular water changes but I have had much better results with one than without. You can't beat a good skimmer.

I have and recommend the following...

AquaC Remora with Maxi-jet 1200.



$163.00 @ reefgeek.com

Christopher

[Big_Pun]

if you do weekly water changes you dont need a skimmer imo and from what ive been told by the seasoned vetrans on this forum. get good lights, you will end up wanting better lights eventually, the pic you showed is like the 12g i first got. dont use the bioballs, live rock rubble

[Jaire]

In a previous reefing life, I had a 24 gallon JBJ NC. Heat was always an issue. I was not happy with the PCL; Can't keep many desired colored corals under PCL.

JMO.

My bf said the same about the lights creating too much heat...dang it!! I just really like the look of the black trim all around it. Maybe I could find one without the top and have lights set up higher above it? One can hope!

I have and recommend the following...

What size cube do you use this skimmer for? Or does it matter?

[cbianco]

if you do weekly water changes you don't need a skimmer imo...

WCs get old after a while. Most people I talk to, sooner or later, end up lapsing.

...from what ive been told by the seasoned vetrans on this forum...

Typically, that piece of advice is regarding additives, in which I agree. Only hardcore nanos need additives.

...get good lights, you will end up wanting better lights eventually, the pic you showed is like the 12g i first got. dont use the bioballs, live rock rubble

I agree! Upgrading is only a matter of when not if. Live rock in the rear of an all-in-one provides new places for critters to live and a safe haven from fish and other critters.

My bf said the same about the lights creating too much heat...dang it!! I just really like the look of the black trim all around it. Maybe I could find one without the top and have lights set up higher above it? One can hope!

What size cube do you use this skimmer for? Or does it matter?

I have my Remora on a 30 gallon Finnex tank.

Christopher

[recoiljpr]

My bf said the same about the lights creating too much heat...dang it!! I just really like the look of the black trim all around it. Maybe I could find one without the top and have lights set up higher above it? One can hope!
What size cube do you use this skimmer for? Or does it matter?

I can only speak for the biocbue, but it looks almost identical to yours. With the stock fans and lights (36W X 2) my temps were running around 80.5 degrees after my lights had been on for 9+ hours. This weekend, I upgraded the stock lights and fans with a DIY kit from nanotuners.com and my temps so far now are hovering around 79.5 or so. Even though I added an additional 2 lights (total of 144W) because of the upgraded fans my temps have lowered. So at least with the cubes, if you have temp problems you can upgrade fans, etc.

[Jaire]

I can only speak for the biocbue, but it looks almost identical to yours. With the stock fans and lights (36W X 2) my temps were running around 80.5 degrees after my lights had been on for 9+ hours. This weekend, I upgraded the stock lights and fans with a DIY kit from nanotuners.com and my temps so far now are hovering around 79.5 or so. Even though I added an additional 2 lights (total of 144W) because of the upgraded fans my temps have lowered. So at least with the cubes, if you have temp problems you can upgrade fans, etc.

That is good info to have, thank you!!